Cosmetic surgery and adolescents: is it a good idea?
Are you the parent of a teen who recently decided that they would like to have cosmetic surgery? If so, he may be feeling a wide range of emotions right now. Although most parents in your shoes wouldn’t even consider the idea, you may be interested in doing so. He may be curious as to whether or not cosmetic surgery and adolescence go hand in hand.
As to whether or not cosmetic surgery is recommended for teens, it all depends. All teenagers are not the same. Cosmetic surgery procedures are performed for a wide range of reasons. To help you determine if your teen is ready for cosmetic surgery, there are a number of factors you’ll want to consider first.
To begin with, it is important to examine your child’s health. Is your son’s health at risk if he does not undergo cosmetic surgery? For example, is your child severely obese? If so, gastric bypass surgery or other weight loss surgeries may be needed. Of course, as a parent, you owe it to your child to help them explore other options. You and your teen may first want to try more natural ways to lose weight, such as eating healthy and exercising regularly.
Since most cosmetic surgery procedures are performed for the sole purpose of improving appearance, you may not understand why your teen needs treatment. Be sure to talk to your child about his reasoning. Are they being bullied at school? Does your child have unwanted skin growth or body hair that gets them teased at school? If so, you may want to inquire about cosmetic surgery. It’s important to know the impact that constant bullying and booing can have on a teen’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
Before you set your child’s heart on cosmetic surgery, if you voice your approval, you’ll first want to make sure your child is a good candidate. Are you aware that some cosmetic surgeons will not perform surgical procedures on children under the age of 18? Others have restrictions, but can be a little more lax with them. For example, the ideal candidates for liposuction are over 18 years of age. This is often due in part to maturity levels.
Speaking of maturity, is your child mature enough to make an informed decision about cosmetic surgery? Most teens aren’t. Many simply know that they want to look beautiful, no matter the cost. However, can your child handle those costs? If your son is considering cosmetic surgery just to enhance her beauty, it may be a good idea to let him make his own decision when he turns 18.
Another reason why not all adolescents are ideal candidates for cosmetic surgery is the recovery process. If a breast reduction is performed, your child will need to get plenty of rest. They may also face certain restrictions, such as not lifting heavy objects or not wearing a bra for a week. Will your teen be able to follow your post-surgery instructions to the letter? Otherwise, they may end up harming your health and the results of your surgery.
As a reminder, many cosmetic surgeons in the United States have restrictions and rules in place for cosmetic and minor surgery. If you opt for cosmetic surgery for your teen, schedule a consultation appointment with them to see if they are an ideal candidate.